PPG recently launched three new products that will take its customers to the next level of color solutions. The new products are a part of PPG’s XI initiative and include the PAINTMANAGER® XI software – the core of the overall offering – and supplementary hardware in the TOUCHMIX® XI computer and RAPIDMATCH® XI spectrophotometer.

“Used together, the XI solutions take PPG to an entirely new level of color matching, formula retrieval, mixing paint and reporting on business operations,” said Nicole Sinclair, senior manager, global color marketing, refinish at PPG. “We could not be more excited about the solutions that we can now offer to our customers that will afford them higher productivity and profitability levels.”

PaintManager XI Software

PPG’s database of over two million formulas can quickly be accessed through the PaintManager XI software program. The new PaintManager XI software has an extremely intuitive workflow that streamlines the complete paint mixing operation.

The new PaintManager XI software features a more intuitive workflow and numerous improvements, making it even easier for customers to manage and evaluate the performance of their shops. In addition, the software program elevates the user experience with a more contemporary and visually appealing interface, improved navigation and greater opportunities for collaboration and integration across locations and within organizations.

The PPG exclusive TouchMix XI computer is an all-in-one system that can be installed directly inside of a shop’s mixing room.

“The new TouchMix XI takes color matching to the next level,” said Johnson. “It has a smaller footprint; it is plug and play installation with no need for a computer outside the mixing room; it is easier to service and support with a three year warranty and it is designed to be used with PaintManager XI.”

“We believe technicians will find the TouchMix XI to be an outstanding way to productively streamline shop operations,” added Johnson. “PPG customers will appreciate the improved system reliability, reduced support costs and minimal maintenance. Like all of our products, the TouchMix XI is intended to keep PPG at the forefront of color solutions.”

RapidMatch XI Spectrophotometer

PPG has expanded its innovative Color Solutions XI product line with the introduction of the all-new XI spectrophotometer. According to PPG, the new spectrophotometer combines ground-breaking optical power, color camera images and an intuitive touch-screen user interface to dramatically enhance collision repair.

The RapidMatch XI spectrophotometer combines 11 color angles and five texture angles for a total of 16 geometries powered with six blue-enhanced LEDs (light-emitting diodes), to make it the most advanced technology in the industry. Technicians will benefit from the five texture digital color images that provide real-time paint surface viewing.

The basis for the new spectrophotometer’s color-matching capability lies in an extensive color formula database containing reflectance and image characteristics along with high-level mathematics that efficiently and accurately deliver “target to match” returns to the end user. With its cutting-edge optics and multi-angle color measurement, the RapidMatch XI spectrophotometer reads the actual vehicle color at critical angles, then teams with PPG’s extensive color database of prime, variant and special field formulas to help find the best blendable match. Technicians then have all the necessary information to make the right choice when reaching a color decision. In addition, the RapidMatch XI spectrophotometer is Wi-Fi enabled and provides seamless connectivity with its brand partner, PaintManager XI software.

Key features of RAPIDMATCH XI include:

· Total of 16 geometries (11 color angles and 6 camera angles)

· Color camera enables the user to avoid scratches on the surface for more accurate reading

· Six blue enhanced LEDs for enhanced accuracy

· Rechargeable lithium ion battery

· Seamless connectivity with PaintManager XI

· Touchscreen interface

· 30 day calibration (as opposed to 12 hour with the current RapidMatch X5)

· Wi-Fi enabled

PPG is very excited about these three new tools for the automotive refinish market. “We take our experience and customer feedback seriously, and we will continue to offer new and improved tools to our customers that improve productivity and profitability,” said Sinclair. “Our goal is to make painters’ lives easier, as well as help shop managers and owners better manage their businesses.”

To support this XI initiative, PPG has ramped up its training effort. “We have launched eLearning modules and on-site training programs to help customers adapt to and learn about the new products,” said Sinclair. “In addition, we have online resources for each of the XI initiatives. In addition to training, we have a process developed to convert customers to our new PaintManager XI software that simplifies the conversion for flawless execution time and again.”

The Color Solutions XI products are now available in the U.S. and Canada. To learn more about these innovative products, follow the #XIgeneration hashtag.

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